Heat exchangers

ABSTRACT

A counter-flow heat exchanger comprising a heat exchanger core including an inner wall and an outer wall radially outward and spaced apart from the inner wall. A first flow path is defined within the inner wall and a second flow path is defined between the inner wall and the outer wall. The heat exchanger core includes a primary flow inlet, a primary flow outlet and a middle portion therebetween. The inner and outer walls are concentric at the primary flow inlet of the heat exchanger core. The inner wall defines a first set of channels extending axially from the primary flow inlet to the middle portion of the heat exchanger core diverging away from a radial center of the heat exchanger core. The inner wall and the outer wall define a second set of channels extending axially from the primary flow inlet to the middle portion of the heat exchanger core converging toward the radial center of the heat exchanger core.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to heat exchangers, and, in particular, toa cylindrical counter-flow heat exchanger.

2. Description of Related Art

Heat exchangers are used in a variety of systems, for example, in engineand environmental control systems of aircraft. These systems tend torequire continual improvement in heat transfer performance, reductionsin pressure loss, and reductions in size and weight. Heat exchangerstypically include a plate/fin construction in the core of the heatexchanger.

Such conventional methods and systems have generally been consideredsatisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there is still a needin the art for systems and methods that allow for improved heatexchangers. The present invention provides a solution for theseproblems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A counter-flow heat exchanger comprising a heat exchanger core includingan inner wall and an outer wall radially outward and spaced apart fromthe inner wall. A first flow path is defined within the inner wall and asecond flow path is defined between the inner wall and the outer wall.The heat exchanger core includes a primary flow inlet, a primary flowoutlet and a middle portion therebetween. The inner and outer walls areconcentric at the primary flow inlet of the heat exchanger core. Theinner wall defines a first set of channels extending axially from theprimary flow inlet to the middle portion of the heat exchanger corediverging away from a radial center of the heat exchanger core. Theinner wall and the outer wall define a second set of channels extendingaxially from the primary flow inlet to the middle portion of the heatexchanger core converging toward the radial center of the heat exchangercore.

In accordance with certain embodiments, the inner wall is corrugated toform the first and second sets of channels. Respective channels of thefirst and second sets of channels can alternate circumferentially withone another. The heat exchanger core can be a circular cylinder. At theprimary flow inlet of the heat exchanger core, in a cross-section takenperpendicular to a primary flow direction, the inner and outer walls candefine an annulus therebetween including the second flow path. Adiameter of the heat exchanger core at the primary flow inlet can besmaller than a diameter of the heat exchanger core in the middleportion. At least one channel of the first set of channels can splitinto multiple sub-channels to maintain a width smaller than a maximumthreshold. At least two channels of the second set of channels can uniteinto a single joined channel to maintain a width greater than a minimumthreshold.

It is contemplated that at least one of the first and second flow pathscan include vanes to assist with flow distribution. The heat exchangercore can be substantially linear and can define a longitudinal axisbetween the primary flow inlet and the primary flow outlet. A radialcenter of the inner wall can be aligned with the longitudinal axis.Additional cylindrical walls can be disposed radially inward from theouter wall and concentric with the heat exchanger core. The additionalcylindrical walls can be radially spaced apart from one another and arein fluid communication with the first and second flow paths. Annularring sections can be defined between two adjacent cylindrical walls.Each annular ring section can include a portion of a channel from thefirst set of channels and a portion of a channel from the second set ofchannels. The portion from the first set of channels in a first annularring section can be offset radially and circumferentially from theportion from the first set of channels in a second annular ring section.The second annular ring section can be adjacent to the first annularring section. The portion from the second set of channels in the firstannular ring section can be offset radially and circumferentially fromthe portion from the second set of channels in the second annular ringsection. The additional cylindrical walls can be circular cylindricalwalls. The additional cylindrical walls can be disposed in the middleportion of the heat exchanger core. The inner and outer walls can beconcentric at the primary flow outlet of the heat exchanger core.

The heat exchanger core can be cylindrical, wherein at an outlet of theheat exchanger core, in a cross-section taken perpendicular to a primaryflow direction, an annulus can be defined between the inner and outerwalls. From the middle portion of the heat exchanger core to the primaryflow outlet, the first set of channels can extend axially away from themiddle portion to the primary flow outlet converging toward the radialcenter of the heat exchanger core and the second set of channels canextend axially away from the middle portion to the primary flow outletdiverging away from the radial center of the heat exchanger core. Inaccordance with another aspect, a method of manufacturing a counter-flowheat exchanger core includes forming a heat exchanger core body usingadditive manufacturing. The heat exchanger core body is similar to theheat exchanger core described above. Additive manufacturing can be viadirect metal laser sintering.

These and other features of the systems and methods of the subjectinvention will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the artfrom the following detailed description of the preferred embodimentstaken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that those skilled in the art to which the subject inventionappertains will readily understand how to make and use the devices andmethods of the subject invention without undue experimentation,preferred embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein belowwith reference to certain figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a schematic depiction of an exemplary embodimentof a counter flow heat exchanger, showing the heat exchanger core andthe primary flow direction;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger of FIG.1 at the primary flow inlet of the heat exchanger core, showing innerand outer walls and an annulus formed therebetween;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger of FIG.1 between the primary flow inlet of the heat exchanger core and a middleportion of the heat exchanger core, showing the converging and divergingsets of channels;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger of FIG.1 between the primary flow inlet of the heat exchanger core and a middleportion of the heat exchanger core, showing the channels of the firstset of channels separating into sub-channels;

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger of FIG.1 in the middle portion of the heat exchanger core, showing theadditional cylindrical walls; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the heatexchanger of FIG. 1 in the middle portion of the heat exchanger core,showing adjacent annular sections between the additional cylindricalwalls off-set from one another.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like referencenumerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the subjectdisclosure. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and notlimitation, a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a heatexchanger in accordance with the disclosure is shown in FIG. 1 and isdesignated generally by reference character 100. Other embodiments ofimaging systems in accordance with the disclosure, or aspects thereof,are provided in FIGS. 2-5, as will be described. Embodiments of heatexchanger 100 provide a fractal heat exchanger core that results inincreased performance, and reduced size and weight as compared withtraditional plate fin heat exchangers.

As shown in FIG. 1, a counter-flow heat exchanger 100 includes a heatexchanger core 102 that defines a longitudinal axis X. Heat exchangercore 102 includes a primary flow inlet 104, a primary flow outlet 106and a middle portion 108 therebetween. The primary flow direction isindicated schematically by the arrow 101. Heat exchanger core 102 iscircular cylinder that includes conical tapering portions at its inletand outlet, 104 and 106, respectively. A diameter of heat exchanger core102 at primary flow inlet 104 is smaller than a diameter of the heatexchanger core 102 in middle portion 108. It is also contemplated thatthe diameter of core 102 at inlet 104 and in middle portion 108 can bethe same, e.g. core 102 can have a constant diameter. Heat exchangercore 102 has circular cross-sections along its length, e.g. those takenperpendicular to the flow direction and longitudinal axis X. It iscontemplated that heat exchanger core 102 can have a variety of othersuitable shapes, for example, it can be an oval cylinder, an ellipticalcylinder, a rectangular cylinder, or a square cylinder. In accordancewith some embodiments, additional elliptically shaped walls, similar toadditional walls 130 can be used inside a rectangular cylinder core. Theheat exchanger core is substantially linear and defines a longitudinalaxis between the primary flow inlet and the primary flow outlet. Aradial center of the inner wall is aligned with the longitudinal axis.

As shown in FIG. 2, a cross-section of heat exchanger core 102 atprimary flow inlet 104 is shown. At primary flow inlet 104, heatexchanger core 102 includes an inner wall 110 and an outer wall 112radially outward and spaced apart from inner wall 110. A first flow path114 is defined within inner wall 110 and a second flow path 116 isdefined between inner wall 110 and outer wall 112. Inner and outerwalls, 110 and 112, respectively, define an annulus 115 that includessecond flow path 116. Inner and outer walls 110 and 112, respectively,are cylindrical and concentric at primary flow inlet 104 of heatexchanger core 102. Inner and outer walls, 110 and 112, respectively,are concentric at primary flow outlet of the heat exchanger core.

As shown in FIG. 3, as inner wall 110 extends away from primary flowinlet 104 it becomes corrugated and defines a first set of channels 118extending axially from primary flow inlet 104 to middle portion 108 ofheat exchanger core 102 diverging away from a radial center A of heatexchanger core 102. Inner wall 110 and outer wall 112 define a secondset of channels 120 extending axially from primary flow inlet 104 tomiddle portion 108 of heat exchanger core 102 converging toward radialcenter A of heat exchanger core 102. Respective channels 122 and 124 ofthe first and second sets of channels 118 and 120, respectively,alternate circumferentially with one another to provide additionalsurface area for heat transfer. In accordance with the embodiment ofFIG. 3, two channels 122 from first set of channels 118 alternate withone channel 124 from second set of channels 120. First and second flowpaths 114 and 116, respectively, include vanes 125 to assist with flowdistribution with only minimal pressure drop.

With reference now to FIG. 4, as inner wall 110 extends further axiallyaway from flow inlet 104 toward and into middle portion 108, channels122 of the first set of channels 118 split into multiple sub-channels126 to maintain a width smaller than a maximum threshold. At least twochannels 124 of the second set of channels 120 unite into a singlejoined channel 128 to maintain a width greater than a minimum threshold.

As shown in FIG. 5, additional cylindrical walls 130 are disposedradially inward from outer wall 112 and are concentric with heatexchanger core 102. Additional cylindrical walls 130 are radially spacedapart from one another and are in fluid communication with first andsecond flow paths 114 and 116, respectively. Additional cylindricalwalls 130 are circular cylindrical walls. Additional cylindrical walls130 are disposed in middle portion 108 of the heat exchanger core 102.It is also contemplated that additional cylindrical walls likecylindrical walls 130 could be used in other portions of heat exchangercore 102.

As shown in FIG. 6, in accordance with an embodiment of core 102,annular ring sections 132 are defined between two adjacent additionalwalls 130 are circumferentially offset with respect to an adjacentannular ring so that a checker-board pattern is formed, e.g. alternatingfirst and second flow paths 114 and 116, respectively, in a radialdirection as well as in a circumferential direction. The cross-sectionof FIG. 6 is taken at a similar location as the cross-section of FIG. 5.Each annular ring section 132 includes a portion 122′ of one of channels122 from first set of channels 118 and a portion 124′ of one of channels124 from second set of channels 120. Portion 122′ from first set ofchannels 118 in a first annular ring section 132 a is offset radiallyand circumferentially from portion 122′ from first set of channels 118in a second annular ring 132 b section. Second annular ring section 132b is adjacent to first annular ring section 132 a. Portion 124′ from thesecond set of channels 120 in first annular ring section 132 a is offsetradially and circumferentially from portion 124′ from second set ofchannels 120 in second annular ring section 132 b.

With reference now to FIGS. 1-5, at outlet 106 of the heat exchangercore 102 inner and outer walls 110, and 112, respectively, are similarto how they were arranged at inlet 104, shown in FIG. 2, e.g. at across-section taken perpendicular to longitudinal axis X at outlet 106inner and outer walls 110, and 112, respectively, would be concentriccircles. To transition back to concentric circles, from middle portion108 of the heat exchanger core 102 to primary flow outlet 106, the firstset of channels 118 extends axially away from middle portion 108 to theprimary flow outlet 106 converging back toward radial center A of heatexchanger core 102 and second set of channels 120 extends axially awayfrom middle portion 108 to primary flow outlet 106 diverging away fromradial center A of the heat exchanger core. By utilizing a counter-flowconfiguration, heat exchanger 100 provides for reduced size andincreased performance by better balancing the hot and cold fluidsrunning through core 102, e.g. through first and second flow paths 114and 116, respectively. Heat exchanger 100 also increases the heatexchanger effectiveness for a given overall heat transfer area. Thecounter-flow configuration enables high temperature and high pressureoperation by reducing the temperature differential across the heatexchanger planform since the cold side outlet and hot side inlet arealigned with one another. By gradually transitioning from the inlet 104,as shown in FIG. 2, to the core 108, as shown in FIG. 5, pressure dropscan be reduced and there is not a large discontinuity in stiffness orthermal response as in traditional headering.

It is contemplated that a method of manufacturing a counter-flow heatexchanger core, e.g. heat exchanger core 102, includes forming heatexchanger core 102 using additive manufacturing such as, direct metallaser sintering, for example. It is contemplated that the heat exchangercore can be manufactured in the flow direction, e.g. along longitudinalaxis X to avoid horizontal surfaces. It is also contemplated thatinstead of being a linearly extending cylinder, the heat exchanger couldbe built along a sinusoidal path creating wavy or ruffled sets ofchannels as opposed to straight ones for increased heat transfer or bendaround obstructions.

The methods and systems of the present disclosure, as described aboveand shown in the drawings, provide for heat exchangers with superiorproperties including improved heat transfer resulting from a largerprimary flow area, with a relatively small amount of secondary flowarea. While the apparatus and methods of the subject disclosure havebeen shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, thoseskilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes and/ormodifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit andscope of the subject disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A counter-flow heat exchanger comprising: a heatexchanger core including an inner wall and an outer wall radiallyoutward and spaced apart from the inner wall, wherein a first flow pathis defined within the inner wall and a second flow path is definedbetween the inner wall and the outer wall, wherein the heat exchangercore includes a primary flow inlet, a primary flow outlet and a middleportion therebetween, wherein the inner and outer walls are concentricat the primary flow inlet of the heat exchanger core, wherein the innerwall defines a first set of channels extending axially from the primaryflow inlet to the middle portion of the heat exchanger core divergingaway from a radial center of the heat exchanger core, and wherein theinner wall and the outer wall define a second set of channels extendingaxially from the primary flow inlet to the middle portion of the heatexchanger core converging toward the radial center of the heat exchangercore.
 2. The counter-flow heat exchanger as recited in claim 1, whereinthe inner wall is corrugated to form the first and second sets ofchannels, wherein respective channels of the first and second sets ofchannels alternate circumferentially with one another.
 3. Thecounter-flow heat exchanger as recited in claim 1, wherein the heatexchanger core is a circular cylinder, wherein at the primary flow inletof the heat exchanger core, in a cross-section taken perpendicular to aprimary flow direction, the inner and outer walls define an annulustherebetween including the second flow path.
 4. The counter-flow heatexchanger as recited in claim 3, wherein a diameter of the heatexchanger core at the primary flow inlet is smaller than a diameter ofthe heat exchanger core in the middle portion.
 5. The counter-flow heatexchanger as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one channel of thefirst set of channels splits into multiple sub-channels to maintain awidth smaller than a maximum threshold.
 6. The counter-flow heatexchanger as recited in claim 1, wherein at least two channels of thesecond set of channels unite into a single joined channel to maintain awidth greater than a minimum threshold.
 7. The counter-flow heatexchanger as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first andsecond flow paths include vanes to assist with flow distribution.
 8. Thecounter-flow heat exchanger as recited in claim 1, wherein the heatexchanger core is substantially linear and defines a longitudinal axisbetween the primary flow inlet and the primary flow outlet, wherein aradial center of the inner wall is aligned with the longitudinal axis.9. The counter-flow heat exchanger as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising additional cylindrical walls disposed radially inward fromthe outer wall and concentric with the heat exchanger core, wherein theadditional cylindrical walls are radially spaced apart from one anotherand are in fluid communication with the first and second flow paths. 10.The counter-flow heat exchanger as recited in claim 9, wherein theadditional cylindrical walls are circular cylindrical walls.
 11. Thecounter-flow heat exchanger as recited in claim 9, wherein theadditional cylindrical walls are disposed in the middle portion of theheat exchanger core.
 12. The counter-flow heat exchanger as recited inclaim 9, wherein annular ring sections are defined between two adjacentcylindrical walls, wherein each annular ring section includes a portionof a channel from the first set of channels and a portion of a channelfrom the second set of channels, wherein the portion from the first setof channels in a first annular ring section is offset radially andcircumferentially from the portion from the first set of channels in asecond annular ring section, wherein the second annular ring section isadjacent to the first annular ring section, and wherein the portion fromthe second set of channels in the first annular ring section is offsetradially and circumferentially from the portion from the second set ofchannels in the second annular ring section.
 13. The counter-flow heatexchanger as recited in claim 1, wherein the inner and outer walls areconcentric at the primary flow outlet of the heat exchanger core. 14.The counter-flow heat exchanger as recited in claim 1, wherein the heatexchanger core is cylindrical, wherein at an outlet of the heatexchanger core, in a cross-section taken perpendicular to a primary flowdirection, an annulus is defined between the inner and outer walls. 15.The counter-flow heat exchanger as recited in claim 1, wherein, from themiddle portion of the heat exchanger core to the primary flow outlet,the first set of channels extends axially away from the middle portionto the primary flow outlet converging toward the radial center of theheat exchanger core and the second set of channels extends axially awayfrom the middle portion to the primary flow outlet diverging away fromthe radial center of the heat exchanger core.
 16. A method ofmanufacturing a counter-flow heat exchanger core, the method comprising:forming a heat exchanger core body using additive manufacturing, whereinthe heat exchanger core body includes an inner wall and an outer wallradially outward and spaced apart from the inner wall, wherein a firstflow path is defined within the inner wall and a second flow path isdefined between the inner wall and the outer wall, wherein the heatexchanger core body includes a primary flow inlet, a primary flow outletand a middle portion therebetween, wherein the inner and outer walls areconcentric at the primary flow inlet of the heat exchanger core body,wherein the inner wall defines a first set of channels extending axiallyfrom the primary flow inlet to the middle portion of the heat exchangercore body diverging away from a radial center of the heat exchanger corebody, and wherein the inner wall and the outer wall define a second setof channels extending axially from the primary flow inlet to the middleportion of the heat exchanger core body converging toward the radialcenter of the heat exchanger core body.
 17. The method as recited inclaim 16, wherein the additive manufacturing is via direct metal lasersintering.